[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15677-15679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05894]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0915; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASO-41]
RIN 2120-AA66


Modification, Revocation, and Establishment of Area Navigation 
(RNAV) Routes; Charlotte, NC

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This action establishes two RNAV routes; modifies three RNAV 
routes; and removes one RNAV route in the Charlotte, NC, area. These 
changes, in combination with existing VOR Federal airways, provide 
additional routing options through and around the Charlotte, NC area.

DATES: Effective date 0901 UTC, May 29, 2014. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 
1 CFR part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and 
publication of conforming amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Gallant, Airspace Policy and 
Regulations Group, Office of Airspace Services, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 
telephone: (202) 267-8783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

    On December 19, 2013, the FAA published in the Federal Register a

[[Page 15678]]

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish 2 RNAV routes; modify 
3 RNAV routes; and remove 1 RNAV route in the Charlotte, NC, area (78 
FR 76784). Interested parties were invited to participate in this 
rulemaking effort by submitting written comments on the proposal. One 
comment was received. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association 
expressed support for the proposal.

Differences From the NPRM

    The NPRM stated that this action would support the Charlotte 
Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex (OAPM) Project. 
That statement resulted in some confusion over the status of the T-
route proposal versus the Metroplex project. To clarify, while these 
new routes will enhance airspace efficiency in the Charlotte Metroplex 
area, the T-routes in this rule have independent utility from the 
Metroplex project and the environmental evaluations were conducted 
independently.

The Rule

    The FAA is amending Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
part 71 to establish 2 low-altitude RNAV routes (T-206 and T-214); 
modify 3 RNAV routes (T-201, T-202 and T-203); and remove 1 RNAV route 
(T-200), in the Charlotte, NC, area. The route changes are described 
below.
    T-200: T-200, extending between the foothills, GA, VORTAC and the 
Florence, SC, VORTAC, is removed in its entirety. T-200 is seldom used 
because it traverses very close to the ``final box'' for Charlotte/
Douglas International Airport (CLT) when CLT is landing to the north. 
The modified T-202 (see below) provides routing through the south end 
of the CLT Class B airspace area in place of T-200.
    T-201: T-201, extending between the Columbia, SC, VORTAC (CAE) and 
the JOTTA, NC, fix, is shortened to extend between the MEVAE, SC, 
waypoint (WP) (near Bethune, SC) at the south end, and the BORTZ, NC, 
WP (south of the JOTTA fix) at the north end. In addition, the track of 
the route is shifted approximately 7 nautical miles (NM) to the east of 
its current position. The shift moves the route to the east of the CLT 
Class B airspace area where it passes through the FEGNO, NC, WP instead 
of the LOCAS, NC, fix (on the eastern boundary of the Class B airspace 
area). T-201 segregates low altitude overflight traffic from CLT 
departure and arrival traffic. Waypoints along the route provide 
connectivity with RNAV routes T-202, T-206 and T-214 (described below).
    T-202: T-202 is extended at both ends: northeastward from the GANTS 
fix to the ZADEL WP (near Asheboro Municipal Airport [HBI], NC); and 
westward from the RICHE fix to the GURSH WP (near Union County Airport 
[35A], SC). T-202 utilizes airspace around the south of CLT when CLT is 
landing and departing to the south. That segment from the RICHE WP to 
the HUSTN WP segregates T-202 traffic from CLT departures. Waypoints 
along the route provide connectivity to T-201, T-206 and T-214.
    T-203: T-203, extending between the Columbia, SC, VORTAC and the 
Pulaski, VA, VORTAC, is shortened to the ANDYS, SC, fix (near 
Winnsboro, SC) at the south end, and the OREAD, NC, WP (10 miles north 
of Hickory, NC) at the north end. In addition, the track is shifted 
slightly to the west of its current position but still transiting 
through the west side of the CLT Class B airspace area. By routing T-
203 via the ROUTH, NC, WP (near Grover, SC), transiting aircraft are 
segregated from CLT departure airspace. Waypoints along the route 
provide connectivity to T-202, T-206 and T-214.
    T-206: T-206 is a new route extending between the ENADE, NC, WP 
(near Cliffside, NC) and the ZADEL, NC, WP (near Asheboro Regional 
Airport [HBI], NC). The route is used to transition aircraft through 
the north side of the CLT Class B airspace area when CLT is landing and 
departing to the north. Waypoints along the route provide connectivity 
to T-201, T-202, T-203 and T-214. Additionally, the alignment of T-206 
through the GOTHS, NC, WP (northwest of the existing MOPED, NC, fix) 
deconflicts transiting traffic from CLT departures.
    T-214: T-214 is a new route extending between the OREAD WP and the 
ORPEE, NC, WP (north of Troy, NC), allowing aircraft to transition 
north of the CLT Class B airspace when CLT is landing and departing to 
the north. T-214 provides a predictable route to points northwest and 
west of Charlotte that are deconflicted from the CLT arrival flow.
    The above routes are segregated from the heavily used arrival and 
departure corridors serving the Charlotte area, enhancing the 
efficiency of the National Airspace System in the Charlotte, NC, area.
    Low altitude RNAV routes are published in paragraph 6011 of FAA 
Order 7400.9X dated August 7, 2013, and effective September 15, 2013, 
which is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The RNAV routes 
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an 
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and 
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current. 
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' 
under Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant 
preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so 
minimal. Since this is a routine matter that only affects air traffic 
procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule, when 
promulgated, does not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the 
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the 
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient 
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority 
as it modifies the route structure as required to enhance the safe and 
efficient flow of air traffic in the Charlotte, NC, area.

Environmental Review

    The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance 
with FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures,'' paragraph 311a. This airspace action is not expected to 
cause any potentially significant environmental impacts, and no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of an 
environmental assessment.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

    Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation 
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

[[Page 15679]]

PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR 
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.


Sec.  71.1  [Amended]

0
2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9X, 
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated August 7, 2013, and 
effective September 15, 2013, is amended as follows:


T-200 FOOTHILLS, GA to FLORENCE, SC [Removed]
 
T-201 MEVAE, SC to BORTZ, NC [Amended]
 
MEVAE, SC               WP                     (lat. 34[deg]25'05'' N., long. 80[deg]22'28'' W.)
TRUEX, SC               WP                     (lat. 34[deg]35'55'' N., long. 80[deg]21'18'' W.)
FEGNO, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]14'49'' N., long. 80[deg]16'39'' W.)
NUROE, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]34'37'' N., long. 80[deg]31'15'' W.)
BORTZ, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]52'56'' N., long. 80[deg]44'56'' W.)
 
T-202 GURSH, SC to ZADEL, NC [Amended]
 
GURSH, SC.              WP                     (lat. 34[deg]42'05'' N., long. 81[deg]30'32'' W.)
AWRYT, SC               WP                     (lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 81[deg]14'52'' W.)
RICHE, SC               FIX                    (lat. 34[deg]41'54'' N., long. 80[deg]59'23'' W.)
HUSTN, NC               FIX                    (lat. 34[deg]53'20'' N., long. 80[deg]34'20'' W.)
FEGNO, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]14'49'' N., long. 80[deg]16'39'' W.)
GANTS, NC               FIX                    (lat. 35[deg]27'11'' N., long. 80[deg]06'16'' W.)
ZADEL, NC.              WP                     (lat. 35[deg]33'47'' N., long. 80[deg]01'47'' W.)
 
T-203 ANDYS, SC to OREAD, NC [Amended]
 
ANDYS, SC               FIX                    (lat. 34[deg]22'15'' N., long. 81[deg]08'38'' W.)
AWRYT, SC               WP                     (lat. 34[deg]42'00'' N., long. 81[deg]14'52'' W.)
ROUTH, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]10'38'' N., long. 81[deg]23'59'' W.)
FADOS, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]28'22'' N., long. 81[deg]20'49'' W.)
OREAD, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]52'03'' N., long. 81[deg]16'32'' W.)
 
T-206 ENADE, NC to ZADEL, NC [New]
 
ENADE, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]12'08'' N., long. 81[deg]44'41'' W.)
FADOS, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]28'22'' N., long. 81[deg]20'49'' W.)
GOTHS, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]35'17'' N., long. 80[deg]58'25'' W.)
NUROE, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]34'37'' N., long. 80[deg]31'15'' W.)
ZADEL, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]33'47'' N., long. 80[deg]01'47'' W.)
 
T-214 OREAD, NC to ORPEE, NC [New]
 
OREAD, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]52'03'' N., long. 81[deg]16'32'' W.)
BORTZ, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]52'56'' N., long. 80[deg]44'56'' W.)
THMSN, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]53'21'' N., long. 80[deg]28'57'' W.)
ZADEL, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]33'47'' N., long. 80[deg]01'47'' W.)
ORPEE, NC               WP                     (lat. 35[deg]27'12'' N., long. 79[deg]52'56'' W.)
 



    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 11, 2014.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and Regulations Group.
[FR Doc. 2014-05894 Filed 3-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P